ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Ministry of Civil Aviation observes Shramdaan event under Swachhata Hi Seva Abhiyaan  2023
Ministry of Civil Aviation developed an action plan focusing on cleanliness drives through Regional/Field oﬃces, at airports and in flights.
Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia participated in Swachhta Shramdaan in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
All Organisations under the Ministry of Civil Aviation organised Shramdaan events at various locations led by their respective heads. Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Steel Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia participated in Swachhta Shramdaan in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh and motivated every citizen to keep their surroundings clean by participating in the Jan Andolan of Swachhata Hi Seva.
One of such Shramdaan event was led by Shri Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, New Delhi wherein the cleaning activity at service lane and premises adjoining Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan was carried out. Officials of Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India and volunteers contributed to the “Shramdaan” event.
Swachhata Hi Seva  campaign is being celebrated from 15th September to 2nd October this year under the joint aegis of Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation  & Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs  for undertaking shramdaan and other activities aiming to generate Jan Andolan through community participation.
As part of the SHS campaign theme 'Garbage Free India', the Ministry of Civil Aviation is wholeheartedly participating in this national effort by way of:
- Announcement of SHS 2023 messages during flights;
- Placement of banners, posters, standees and selfie points at Airports across the country to spread the message of Swachhata;
- Playing videos on Swachhata Hi Sewa Campaign at Airports;
- Conducting Swachhata pledges in Organisations of Ministry & field offices;
- Organizing swachhata Run
In line with the clarion call of Prime Minister “Ek Tareekh Ek Ghanta Ek Saath” for joining the Shramdaan, a cleanliness initiative as part of Swachh Bharat on 1st October, 2023 at 10 A.M., a massive cleanliness drive was carried out across the country.
Ministry of Civil Aviation along with it’s organisations developed an action plan focusing on cleanliness drives through Regional/Field oﬃces of the Organizations under the Ministry so as to contribute towards achieving the objectives of the campaign. 140 events were conducted for cleanliness drive & Shramdaan on 1st October, 2023.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Criteria for identification of beneficiaries as per norms is uniform across the country; Responsibility for identification of beneficiaries under NFSA rests with the States/UTs: Department of Food & Public Distribution
According to some reports which appeared in the media, alleging wrong identification of beneficiaries and discrimination in the issue of National Food Security Act, 2013  ration cards in Bihar, the Department of Food & Public Distribution under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution hereby clarifies that the identification of beneficiaries under NFSA is done based on certain criteria and the responsibility for this rests with the State governments. There has been no discrimination or wrong identification of NFSA beneficiaries in Bihar. The system of identification of beneficiaries as per norms is uniform across all the States/UTs.
The National Food Security Act, 2013 , provides coverage for a total of about 8.71 crore beneficiaries in Bihar, including about 25 Lakh Antyodaya Anna Yojana  families.
According to DoFPD, in the month of May 2020, the state of Bihar had requested to the Department to increase the monthly allocation for the utilization of up to 100% coverage of persons under NFSA i.e. 8.71 Crore. The Central Government, in response to the State’s request took quick action to approve the total coverage of NFSA beneficiaries in Bihar up to the maximum limit of 8.71 Crore.
Recently the state of Bihar was asked to provide a report on the coverage under NFSA by the DoFPD and it has been reported by the State that 15 lakh inactive ration cards exist in the State and their cleaning process is going on as per norms. In addition to this, State has confirmed that about 23.39 lakh new ration cards have been issued, over and above 1.41 crore existing ration cards. State has also informed that list of NFSA beneficiaries may be finalized after completion of July 2020 month distribution and it is also informed that the state does not have its own scheme for food grain distribution under PDS.
Under regular NFSA, the Central Government alone provides a quantity of about 55.24 Lakh Metric Tonnes  per year to Bihar, entailing a food subsidy of nearly Rs. 16,500 crore. In addition to this, under PMGKAY, for the period April-November, 2020, a quantity of nearly 34.8 LMT free foodgrains has been provided with additional food subsidy of nearly Rs. 12,061 crore. Further under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Package  an additional quantity of nearly 86,400 MT of free food grains for two months  has been provided at a subsidy of nearly Rs. 322 crore.
Thus, DoFPD clarifies that all efforts are being made for the achievement of ‘Rightful Targeting’ of food subsidy benefits to the genuinely needy persons/families in Bihar by the Central Government.
Ministry of Science & Technology
IASST scientists develop herbal medicine loaded smart bandage for wounds
Scientists from Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology  an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology,Govt. of India have developed a pH-responsive smart bandage that can deliver the medicine applied in the wound at the pH that is suitable for the wound. The scientists have developed the delivery system by fabricating a nanotechnology-based cotton patch that uses cheap and sustainable materials like cotton and jute.
In the research by Dr Devasish Chowdhury, Associate Professor IASST,a nanocomposite hydrogel bound compact cotton patch incorporated with jute carbon dots was fabricated to carry out the drug release. Jute has been used for the first time as a precursor in synthesizing fluorescent carbon dots, and water was used as the dispersion medium. Herbal formulation neem leaf  extract was taken as the model drug to exemplify the release study.
This study published in the journal ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. demonstrated the stimuli-responsive drug delivery system using natural products – jute and neem leaf extract. The jute carbon dots were immobilized in the hydrogel matrix-bound cotton patch and could effectively exemplify different drug release pattern at two different pH levels --lower at pH 5 than at higher at pH 7.
The stimuli-responsive nature of the fabricated hybrid cotton patch acts as an advantage as in case of growth of bacterial infections in a wound, and this induces release of drug at lower pH which is favourable under these conditions. This pH-responsive behaviour of the fabricated cotton patch lies in the unique behaviour of the jute carbon dots incorporated in the system because of the different molecular linkages formed during the carbon dot preparation.
DrDevasish Chowdhury’s group had earlier fabricated a compact cotton patch that showed excellent wound healing ability but posed a disadvantage because of uncontrolled release when drug was loaded to it. In the present work, they controlled the drug release of the cotton patch, thereby making it a smart wound dressing material.
Around any wound, pH changes due to bacterial infections. Hence they developed a pH-responsive drug delivery system with the cotton patch. Carbon dots which are zero-dimensional nanomaterials, due to their unique carbon core and surface functional groups can be designed to exhibit different behaviour towards different pH. They are also known for their low toxicity and great biocompatibility. Therefore, different carbon dots were used as a nano-filler in fabricating hybrid cotton patches to check the drug release behaviour.
The development of such a stimuli-responsive behavior of hybrid cotton patch paves the way for utilizing it as smart wound-dressing or bandage material. Use of cheap and sustainable material like cotton and jute to fabricate the patch makes the whole process biocompatible, non-toxic, low cost and sustainable.
The scheme depicting the fabrication of pH responsive cotton patch
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Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Logistics Division demonstrates a dynamic user interaction dashboard for industry for issues pertaining to logistics services
Logistics Service related issues to go digital under novel initiative of Logistics Division, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade 
New digital initiative of Logistics Division, DPIIT to help industry associations highlight service-related issues with a single click
Lodge, Track, and Resolve: Industry associations can register issues/suggestions with Logistics Division, DPIIT under a new dashboard
Industry associations and trade bodies will no longer have to burden themselves with paper correspondences to highlight issues and suggestions related to logistics services to the government. A new digital initiative of the Logistics Division, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade  – the creation of a user-interactive dashboard – will now allow authorized user associations to log-in and lodge issues or suggestions for the government to track and resolve in a transparent manner. It is being seen as a novel initiative for the industry that will not only allow the division to address issues related to a single Ministry/Department but also multiple ministries/departments.
A user demonstration of the system was organised recently that witnessed the participation of all major industry associations associated with logistics services in India. In the demonstration, the prototype of the system and its benefits were discussed. This was followed by a detailed demonstration on the dashboard which would bring the industry and agencies closer with a continuous two-way communication that would help in responsive governance. The initiative is expected to help in the identification of procedural issues that lead to lower efficiency in logistics and higher logistics costs.
Echoing the views of the government, the senior office bearers of all industry associations present for the demonstration welcomed the initiative as a much needed tool that would significantly reduce communication gap between trade and the agencies. The user interaction dashboard is part of several initiatives being developed by the Logistics Division, DPIIT to address the technology, services, and human resource related aspects of logistics efficiency in the country.
The dashboard is expected to be launched for all authorised associations in the sector soon. Senior officials from the Logistics Division have also indicated that to streamline the inter-ministerial coordination of service related issues in logistics, an institutional mechanism such as the Network Planning Group  under PM GatiShakti is also under consideration. Such endeavours are expected to give a significant boost to India’s logistics efficiency.
Prime Minister's Office
PM praises Goa Solar Rooftop portal for harnessing solar energy
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has said that Goa Solar Rooftop portal is good step towards harnessing solar energy and furthering sustainable development. Solar Rooftop Online Portal goasolar.in has been developed by Goa Energy Development Agency  in association with Department of New & Renewable Energy and Electricity Department.
In reply to a tweet threads by Goa Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant, the Prime Minister tweeted :
“Good step towards harnessing solar energy and furthering sustainable development.”
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
New Guidelines for Central Sector Scheme “Promotion of MSMEs in North Eastern Region and Sikkim” for enhancing productivity and competitiveness
The Central Government has approved New Guidelines of Central Sector Scheme “Promotion of MSMEs in North Eastern Region and Sikkim”. The scheme will be implemented during 15th Finance Commission Cycle . The Scheme is envisaged to provide financial support for enhancing the productivity and competitiveness as well as capacity building of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises  in the NER and Sikkim. The scheme has following components;
1. Setting up of new and modernization of existing Mini Technology Centres:
The Scheme envisages financial assistance to State Governments for setting up new and modernization of existing Mini Technology Centres. Projects for creation of common facilities to supplement manufacturing, testing, packaging, R&D, product and process innovations and training for natural resources such as fruits, spices, agriculture, forestry, sericulture and bamboo etc. available in NER and Sikkim would be given priority. The financial assistance of Central Government will be 90%. The projects with total project cost more than Rs. 15.00 crore, will also be considered but maximum assistance shall be limited to Rs. 13.50 crore.
2. Development of new and existing Industrial Estates:
Central Government financial assistance will be provided for development of new and existing Industrial Estates, Flatted Factory Complexes. The financial assistance of Government will be 90%. The maximum project cost for calculation of assistance shall be Rs.15.00 Crore for development of new industrial estate whereas Rs.10.00 crore for development of existing Industrial Estate. The projects with total project cost more than Rs.10.00/15.00 crore, will also be considered but maximum assistance shall be limited to Rs. 9.00/13.50 crore as the case may be.
3. Development of Tourism Sector:
The projects for creation of common services such as kitchen, bakery, laundry & dry cleaning, refrigeration and cold storage, IT infra, potable water, display centre for local products, centre for cultural activities etc. in a cluster of home stays may be considered under the scheme. There has to be linkages of projects with local MSEs. The financial assistance of Central Government will be 90% for projects with maximum assistance limited to Rs. 4.50 crore.
The new guidelines of the scheme are available on the website of the office – www.dcmsme.gov.in
MJPS
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Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Central Bureau of Communication organises Photo Exhibition at Railway Stations in Maharashtra, showcasing various aspects of the Indian freedom struggle
Awareness campaign for Har Ghar Tiranga Mission through Mobile Publicity Vans
Mumbai, 11 August, 2022
Central Bureau of Communication, Regional office, Pune, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India is organising various programmes in Maharashtra under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.
Under this campaign various programmes including photo exhibitions will be held at Aurangabad, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Nanded and Solapur in association with Railway, Metro and local administration.
A special publicity campaign and photo exhibition showcasing various aspects of the Indian freedom struggle will be organised at the Aurangabad Railway station from 13 August to 15 August 2022. In addition, various other programmes like lectures by eminent speakers, sports, quiz competitions, drawing competitions and Rangoli competitions will be held to spread awareness among the masses.
Photo exhibition will also be held at Kolhapur inside Chhatrapati Shahu Terminus Railway Station. Information about the freedom struggle during the years 1700 to 1947 will be on display at this exhibition. This exhibition will be open for citizens from August 13 to August 15, 2022.
Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Exhibiton will be organised at Sitabuldi Metro Station of Nagpur. The exhibition will remain open for the citizens from August 13 to August 16. Nagpur Municipal Corporation will hold Covid-19 vaccination camp at the venue. An exhibition about the development work by Road Transport and Highway Ministry in Nagpur and nearby areas will be organised along with the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Exhibiton. Various competitions will also be held for local people on the side-lines of these events.
Central Railway Department and Sadbhavana Seva Dal are jointly organising Amrit Mahotsav Photo Exhibition in Solapur at Solapur Railway station. This will remain open for citizens on August 15 and August 16. Information cells about Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav will be part of the exhibition. Hoardings will be displayed in the city.
Awareness campaign for Har Ghar Tiranga Mission through Mobile Publicity Vans
The Regional Office of Central Bureau of Communication, Pune has initiated an awareness campaign for Har Ghar Tiranga Mission through Mobile Publicity Vans with an aim to ensure people’s participation the rural parts of the state. These mobile vans are travelling through 13 districts of Maharashtra and Goa and spreading the message and information about ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ abhiyan.
11 divisional offices of Central Bureau of Communication, Pune will be running the campaign till the Independence Day 2022. The campaign is being held in the thirteen districts namely Amravati, Akola, Aurangabad, Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Nanded, Nashik, Solapur, Osmanabad, Latur, Wardha in Maharashtra and Panaji in Goa.
PIB Mumbai/CP/SP/PM
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Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Visit of Shri Hardeep S. Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Housing and Urban Affairs to Milan, Italy, from 5th – 7th September 2022
Shri Hardeep S. Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Housing and Urban Affairs, will lead an official and business delegation to Milan, Italy, from 5th – 7th September 2022, to attend the Gastech Milan-2022.
Gastech, the World’s largest gathering focussed on LNG as an abated bridge fuel, will bring together leading Ministers and CEOs to discuss the evolving energy landscape; assess post-pandemic economic recovery and navigate a route to a just energy transition.
During the visit, the Minister will participate in the select Ministerial Panel of the Opening Ceremony along with Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of Egypt and State Secretary of Energy of Portugal. He will also take part in Ministerial Panel discussions titled “Energy Security and Transition” and “A just energy transition for developing nations".
Shri Puri will chair the “India Spotlight: Powering India’s energy industry - new avenues for a sustainable future” panel discussion.
Further, during the visit, the Minister will have bilateral meetings with his counterpart Ministers and with CEOs of global energy companies, who are attending the Gastech Milan-2022.
He will also inaugurate the Exhibition stalls of Indian energy companies which are being showcased at the Exhibition.
The visit will be an opportunity to highlight India's economic growth story and the investment opportunities that exist in India across the entire energy value chain.
The Ministry’s flagship event, India Energy Week, scheduled from 5th-8th February 2023 in Bengaluru,will be launched bythe Minister during this visit.
Prime Minister's Office
PM extends Hanukkah greetings to Benjamin Netanyahu and people of Israel
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has extended Hanukkah greetings to Benjamin Netanyahu, the people of Israel and those celebrating this festival of lights around the world.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
“Hanukkah greetings to my friend Benjamin Netanyahu, friends in Israel, and those celebrating this festival of lights around the world. Chag Sameach.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Secretary RTH addresses investors meet on InvIT; assure them of careful selection of its assest base to yield attractive returns
MoRTH plans to construct over 50,000 KMs of Highways, a majority being 4 and 6 lanes wide
The Government has embarked upon a transformational programme of implementing National Infrastructure Pipeline to realise the potential of Indian Economy. Road development is one of the most important component of this programme, contributing over a quarter of the planned expenditure. Expansion of roads will give a boost to the economy by reducing logistic costs, connect, hinter-land to hubs, and cater to rapid growth in vehicle ownership.
The Union Cabinet has already approved setting up of Infrastructure Investment Trust . This will enable National Highways Authority of India  under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to monetize completed National Highways that have a toll collection track record of at least one year and NHAI reserves the right to levy toll on the identified highway. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has been making concerted efforts for attracting potential investors to participate in this ambitious effort.
Addressing a meeting of leading and large investor groups in New Delhi last evening, Secretary - Road Transport and Highways Shri Giridhar Aramane said, the Ministry has plans for construction of over 50 thousand kilometres of Highways, a majority of those will be 4 and 6 lanes wide. He called upon the investors to consider that InvIT has scope for broad basing the investor groups. It promises to be an attractive vehicle for mobilising funds for road development. He assured investors that the assest base of InvIT will be selected carefully to yield attractive returns and mitigate inherent risks. He said, the proposed roads have a long history of tolling, and thus the price discovery is likely to be handsome. The Secretary also assured that efforts will be made to facilitate realisation of value for investment.
Shri Aramane added that the functioning of the Investment Manager will be democratised by bringing investing partners into Board of Directors to manage the Company in a professional manner. He said, the Project Managers will also be selected on professional and efficiency basis.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Vijayawada Airport as International Airport
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for the declaration of Vijayawada Airport as International Airport, as per the provisions of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.
The proposal will add to improved connectivity to the State capital. It will provide wider choice of services at competitive costs to the air-travelers and give a boost to domestic/international tourism and socio-economic development of Andhra Pradesh by bringing in international passengers and cargo traffic.
Background:
Declaration of an airport as International Airport depends upon traffic potential and demand from airlines for operation of international flights. Further, availability of Ground Lighting Facilities, Instrument Landing System for operation of aircrafts at night, adequate runway length to cater to medium capacity long-range aircraft or equivalent type of aircraft, availability of Customs, Immigration, Health and Animal & Plant Quarantine Services are also required for international operations.
The declaration of Vijayawada Airport as International has been taken up in accordance with the provisions of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 and keeping in view the passenger traffic growth, demands from airlines and Andhra Pradesh Government. Airports Authority of India has undertaken upgradation of requisite infrastructure and facilities for international operations.